Flipside Chapter 9: Drama and Determination, a sonic the hedgehog fanfic

MiraCutesy, IT'S NO USE I'M OUTTA USE, NeckBreak, Samantha27:

Thanks a million, reviewers! Also, thank you to everyone who faved and followed~! I'm working hard to not let you guys down. :)

(In this chapter and from now on, for ease of typing/reading and to not overinflate the word count, Alternate Sonic = AltSonic, Alternate Amy = AltAmy, Original Sonic = OrSonic, and Original Amy = OrAmy, same with Tails and Eggman).

Chapter 9: Drama and Determination

Sonic could never commit to anything, but Amy made a promise to herself long ago, that she would never give up on him. No matter how boneheaded and frustrating he could be, and after how poorly he'd treated her in the past, Amy was still in love with him, and she'd held out hope that he would truly be her hero one day. This version of Sonic had given her more hope than ever before that a future with him could be possible, and she wasn't about to let him run away and crush her dreams, and the dreams of her counterpart.

Both Dimensions

The TV monitor sparked on, and seven pairs of eyes stared at it eagerly. Thousands of brightly colored pixels appeared to show the group a live feed of the other team.

"Hello?" AltTails asked, squinting at the screen. He blinked as he saw Sonic, Amy, and… himself staring back at him. He glanced to the side, and confirmed the Sonic and Amy in this world were still next to him. Surreal.

"Yes, it worked!" OrTails said. "Thanks for your help, guys!"

"Well, this is kinda weird," AltSonic said. "I guess there really is another me."

"Yeah, kinda weird is what I was gonna say," OrSonic said, staring at his other self.

"Wow." OrAmy said, not able to take her eyes off OrSonic's virtual image. Even though she'd been spending time with AltSonic, seeing her original crush made her heart melt. He felt different to her, more wholesome, more heroic.

"Hi Ames," OrSonic said to her, offering her a smile. "Long time no see, huh?"

OrAmy's eyes glazed over as she stared at his handsome smile. He was being nice to her now? Had spending time with the other her given him a change of heart?

"Hi Sonic! I've missed you!" she couldn't help but giggle. "But I knew you'd come back as soon as you could for me!"

"Ah, well, Amy, I..." he looked away, obviously embarrassed.

"It's kinda like looking in a mirror," AltSonic said, intentionally avoiding looking at his girlfriend. "Kinda weird that there's another Sonic runnin' around. What's up, man?"

OrSonic looked back at the screen, relieved he didn't have to talk to Amy anymore. "Yeah, we look exactly alike. But I bet I'm still faster."

"Puh, as if anyone could be faster than me," AltSonic grinned cockily.

"I'd race you anyday! Too bad you're over there," OrSonic said, mirroring his grin.

Meanwhile, AltAmy couldn't be silent anymore. Had AltSonic really greeted his counterpart before her? Doubt and sadness flooded her heart, but she glared at him before saying his name. "Sonic?"

He finally looked at her, his expression blank, though it looked as if he were hiding something. "Hi Ames."

"I… I've missed you," she said, suddenly feeling vulnerable. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, but all she cared about was one green pair. AltSonic's next words would make or break her.

He was silent for a second, and then forced a smile on his face and slightly tilted his head. "Aw, I've missed ya too."

AltAmy opened her mouth to speak again, but was interrupted by her canine friend.

"Well, hi everyone. Hi, other Tails," AltTails began.

"Hi.." OrTails said.

"So, I'm the one that sent you guys the instructions for this communicator… as I'm sure we all know, almost all of us, except for the two Amys, have swapped places with each other. And as far as I know, we've both collected the pink gemstone responsible."

"Wait a minute - why is Eggman with you?" OrSonic asked, suddenly seeing him in the background.

The evil doctor turned to the screen. "I have been forced to work with your band of heroes because this world is experiencing an inexplicable energy crisis. Tails has become my assistant, and soon I will solve this problem. But I have no interest in your little reunion, so I'm getting back to work." The doctor sauntered off into another room.

"Wow. Just like our Egghead, but seems a bit more sane," OrSonic said. "Only a bit though."

"I don't know if we can trust him," OrTails said, grabbing his chin. "When he switched the two of us, I thought he wanted to kidnap me for another reason - but you're saying the energy crisis is real?"

"It definitely is," AltTails said. "And I don't think we can trust Eggman either, but he gives us access to resources and data that will help us. This world really is losing energy, and objects are disappearing everywhere. In fact, I saw some of Eggman's equipment disappear right in front of us."

"And that's a problem, how?" OrSonic asked, raising a brow.

"Not funny, Sonic. Eventually, it looks like everything that has mass on this planet will disappear. I think it's been transported to another dimension, perhaps your world," AltTails said.

"Hm, that's a good thought. Let me run some tests and see if that's the case," OrTails said, and he turned back to his computer. "Although, you think if objects were coming out of nowhere we would have noticed, or someone would have. We definitely need to figure out where they've gone and how to stop it."

"What about our Eggman?" AltTails asked. "Well - he's your world's Eggman, but he's in our world, the world you're in now."

OrAmy shook her head. "This is getting confusing." She looked at her counterpart, but the girl looked preoccupied with something, more than likely her Sonic. OrAmy wanted to talk to her later, as there were so many things she wanted to ask! About Sonic, about what he liked, about how she got his attention… but it'd have to wait until the Tails were done hogging the feed.

"We haven't seen him since we managed to take the pink gem from him," OrTails explained. "He's probably planning something else though."

"Yeah, so we'll keep our eyes out for him," OrSonic agreed.

"So Tails, what's our next move?" AltSonic asked.

"Well," AltTails said, "Me, Eggman, and the other Tails will work together to figure something out. We each have the pink gems, so if we put our heads together we'll plan what we need to do."

"Yeah, figuring out the energy signatures and emissions of the pink gem, as well as the energy loss in your world, will be our first goal."

AltAmy was watching AltSonic so closely, trying to get his attention, but he hadn't even glanced at her since his insincere comment. In fact, he'd looked at everything but her, those gorgeous green eyes avoiding her own. He seemed emotionally neutral and unavailable, and his body language screamed discomfort. AltAmy couldn't help but study him, noting not only crossed arms and anxious legs, but a concentrated expression, a tortured mouth, and tense quills. Something was bothering him, and knowing Sonic, he wasn't too eager to share his feelings.

But AltAmy found herself really concerned - and reminded herself that she wanted Sonic to be happy. This relationship could not only be about her, and she wanted to do what she could to be more selfless towards him.

"Sonic?"

Both turned to her at the same time, but AltAmy was focused on AltSonic, staring at the monitor intensely. "Yeah?"

While OrSonic was genuinely curious and smiled at her, AltSonic glance was hesitant and unsure.

"Sonic, can we talk?" AltAmy spoke. "I need to tell you something important."

AltSonic looked away and shook his head. "Not a good time, Ames. We're dealin' with some important stuff here."

AltAmy's lips parted, and she scrunched her brow as she wondered why he was being so distant. "What? But there's always time for you and me!"

"Yes, but right now is not one of those times."

AltAmy wasn't about to give up. "But I've missed you. Haven't you missed me?"

"Yeah, I already said I did. Let's figure this out and when I get back, then we can talk. Okay?"

"But I really need to tell you something."

He seemed embarrassed now, as his eyes bounced around the room. "Not now, not in front of everyone else…"

"Hey pal," OrSonic spoke up. "Why don't you hear what she has to say?"

OrAmy's heart jumped as she heard her Sonic stick up for her counterpart. She'd been listening with extreme curiosity to the earlier exchange.

"Hey, you stay out of this," AltSonic responded. " 'Sides, I'm not taking advice from you, considerin' how you treat Amy."

OrSonic's mouth dropped, but then he closed it into a sneer. "Oh yeah? Well right now you're not even listening to her!"

"When have you ever listened to your Amy, huh?"

"This isn't about me!" OrSonic was starting to get heated, but calmed himself. "Just let the girl speak, will ya?"

AltSonic threw up his hands and spoke quickly. "Fine. You wanna do this now? Fine, we'll do it now. I'm sick and tired of waiting anyway." He looked at his girlfriend with cold eyes. "I need a break, Amy."

He delivered the words so carelessly, so dismissively, that they didn't register in AltAmy's mind for a few seconds.

"A... break, but - you can't mean…"

"Yeah, I do…" AltSonic's face softened slightly, as he realized he'd finally done it. He'd said what had been on his mind all day.

And he felt nothing but terrible regret.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I haven't been myself lately. I'm not happy. And I need a break until I can figure this out - "

"How could you, Sonic?" OrAmy suddenly screamed, whipping out her hammer. "How could you! That was your decision you told me about earlier? But why?"

"This isn't about you, either," AltSonic sighed and rolled his eyes. "Just... it doesn't mean we're over. Just let me… ugh, I need some space."

AltAmy shook her head, and stepped forward to get as close to the monitor as possible, her nose kissing the glass. She raised her gloved hand to caress the pixels that portrayed her love. "No Sonic, you don't understand, I need to tell you that - "

He was gone. In a blink, a flash, nothing left behind. Everyone gaped at the empty space he'd been standing mere moments before, shocked that he would leave so quickly. OrAmy chased after him immediately, huffing in anger as she sped out the door.

AltAmy stood gaping like a fish, her lips parted in shock and disbelief. She'd been right. She thought she'd finally figured Sonic out, but she'd been correct this whole time. He didn't care for her, he didn't truly love her. He'd vanished from her vision, just as he had so many times in the past, further confirming his disinterest and disdain.

"Well… that just happened," AltTails said quietly.

"And everyone wonders why I won't date this girl…" OrSonic muttered, and both Tails gave him a dirty look. "What? It's true."

This was only proving in OrSonic's mind that dating Amy would be nothing but a mistake. Yes, his counterpart did it, but look where they'd ended up - just one look at AltAmy made him immediately look away, his own heart breaking a bit just seeing her desperately grasp at the monitor for someone who wouldn't come back for her. A moment later she slowly left the room, sniffing away a few tears and muttering she wanted to be alone.

He tried to sneak a glance at OrAmy, but then remembered she had chased after his other self. He couldn't do this same thing to her, as seeing this alternate version of her crying was hurting him, too. Plus, something that AltSonic said was really resonating with him.

"I haven't been myself lately."

That had always been his greatest fear. Whenever dating OrAmy seldom crossed his mind, OrSonic had always quickly dismissed it, knowing that what she wanted would never work for him. She wanted to get married and go on romantic dates, and all he'd ever wanted out of life was to live by his own rules. Explore and adventure and run as he desired. Having a girlfriend had always seemed like a hindrance that he just wasn't interested in. And this only confirmed it.

What a relief. These odd feelings he'd been having towards Amy all day could finally be set aside. He was no longer curious, as he'd seen with his own eyes how that scenario would play out. He had to admit he liked spending time with AltAmy, but felt confident his feelings were only platonic.

"Well, I guess we should get back to work," OrTails sighed. "I'll send you over what I have collected so far in this world, and if you guys could do the same, it'd be great."

"Yeah, we'll do that, and keep the call up so we can keep working together," AltTails said.

"Ya know, it's still kinda weird seeing two of you, but, uh, what do you guys need me to do?" OrSonic asked.

"Nothing right now, Sonic. But I have a feeling we may need the Chaos Emeralds to solve this if we can't figure out what's going on with this thing," OrTails said.

"The Traveler's Stone," AltTails said.

"Is that what we're calling it?"

"Yeah, it seems to fit for now."

"Okay - I have the Chaos Emeralds. You sure there's nothing else I can do?" OrSonic asked, his eyes bouncing between the two, hoping they'd tell him something.

The two Tails looked at each other, and OrSonic's stomach dropped, knowing what they were going to say. They both spoke at the same time.

"Maybe, talk with Amy?" - "Sonic, you should go talk to her."

He vehemently shook his head. "No way. I'm not getting near that emotional powder keg."

"Then I will." OrTails said.

"But, but - you need to do, like, smart stuff! You don't have time!" OrSonic protested.

"I have a few minutes to talk to one of my friends who's heartbroken. Even if she is from another world." OrTails spun his namesakes to hurl himself towards Amy.

OrSonic raced in front of the door she'd exited through, blocking OrTails from exiting. "No, you don't."

OrTails crossed his arms, his tails still spinning. "So you won't talk to her and won't let anyone else? What kind of a friend are you?"

"She doesn't want to talk to anyone, didn't you hear her say she wants to be alone?"

AltTails face palmed and yelled through the monitor. "Sonic, how can you be so ignorant about this stuff? She obviously doesn't want to be alone. You need to talk to her."

"But, this isn't my fault. Why should I have to talk to her?"

OrTails sighed and lowered himself to the ground, his tails fluffing into their normal state. "You know, after seeing how the other you acted towards Amy, I was happy for him. And I thought one day you'd get there too. And, I guess, after seeing what he just did, I'm disappointed, but… you're no better, Sonic. I'm disappointed in you, too," was all he said as he simply walked away.

OrSonic watched him in surprise, still confused about all that had just happened. "Tails - "

"I have smart stuff to do, Sonic," OrTails said. "You figure this out yourself if you don't want my help."

But I haven't done anything wrong! He was the one who cruelly broke up with her. OrSonic thought, his heart sinking more as his best friend in the whole world turned his back on him. Tails was his little brother, who had always looked up to him, believed in him, helped him. How could even Tails be disappointed in him? When he hadn't even made any mistakes!

He didn't know. Today had been the most confusing and heart-wrenching day of his life. He'd felt so many unfamiliar emotions, some of which he'd embraced, others of which he'd thrown out as soon as they'd entered his heart. Feelings, waiting, thinking, none of it his strong suit.

OrSonic had no idea what to do.

So he did the only thing he knew he was good at.

Run.

Original Dimension - Alternate Sonic, Original Amy

The wind whipped through Amy's quills as she forced her legs to move faster and faster, zooming across the world in pursuit of Sonic the Hedgehog. Running after the blue blur, reaching out her arms in desperation, and calling his name was all familiar to her, but this time it was different. She'd run after Sonic too many times in girlish fantasy, wanting a kiss or a marriage proposal or just a simple hello. This time, she was running after him to because he needed her.

Amy kept her arms backwards to become more aerodynamic instead of worthlessly reaching out to him. Her mouth was firmly set in concentration instead of wasting her breath calling his name. She would catch him - Amy was not going to let Sonic disappear into the horizon and avoid her anymore. As she ran faster than she thought possible, her eyes were trained on his blue figure, trying her best to keep the distance between them at a minimum.

She had felt it from that hurt look in his eyes when he broke up with his girl. She felt it in his regretful words afterwards, the way he'd zipped away to avoid the whole situation, which was just so Sonic. In just the past few hours she'd spent with him, Amy had learned and picked up on so many of Sonic's quirks, and could feel their hearts beating closer and more in sync. And she could feel that despite his cold demeanor, his heart was hurting.

Her legs were fueled by so many emotions - the confusing day she'd had, the hope, the joy, the doubt, the heartbreak, the pain - it fueled her to run faster. She would catch Sonic. She would talk to him. She would keep chasing him until she either caught up to him or he stopped. She wouldn't tire, she wouldn't rest, she wouldn't stop. Sonic couldn't run forever, and she was determined to follow him. Maybe he was faster, but she was committed. She had that over him.

As he raced along, Sonic felt something odd behind him as he was running. He'd just wanted to get out of that stuffy and crowded room as soon as possible, just get out of there. Maybe he'd make a mistake, but he still did the thing, and that's what counted in his book. He could make it up to her later, but he couldn't live with not speaking his mind in the moment.

But about that feeling behind him - he couldn't really describe it, but he did feel that eerie sensation of being chased. But there was no way anyone could be chasing him at this speed, which was near his top form. Still… he turned around to glance, and nearly had a heart attack. His legs buckled, and Sonic nearly screeched to a halt before he regained his balance and momentum.

Amy Rose was behind him. Not my Amy, he reminded his racing thoughts, but they still jumbled in his head. Oh shit, how is she so close, I've been running for ages, oh no, how did she get so fast, go, go, go, I gotta speed up, gotta go fast, can't let her catch me, how is she still here, what do I do, ahhh, I regret everything, why did I do that, where do I go, go, go, go...

Sonic was fueled by pure panic as he sped up, trying to leave Amy behind. But no matter how fast he ran, no matter which way he turned, no matter which crazy jumps and tricks he did, he couldn't quite lose her. Amy was behind him, just like always, chasing him down. He could see the look of determination on her face as she chased, and deep down he knew she wouldn't give up. Amy was stubborn and unrelenting when she set her mind to something - he knew this all too well. And him running away from her in a panicked state reminded him of the old days when they'd first met. All of a sudden he was years younger, and a strangely clad pink hedgehog was sprinting after him, calling his name over and over.

But no. This wasn't the past, not a memory, but reality. He was running, and Amy was chasing him. After he'd first asked her out he thought these days were over, and he'd never have to look over his shoulder again, only to his side and in his heart. Amy had gone from his shadow to his heartkeeper. And he'd thrown that away. For what? Because he wasn't himself anymore?

Yes. Being himself and making his own decisions was surely more important than being in love, wasn't it? Especially since he was Sonic, a hero, and the world couldn't afford to lose him. He couldn't afford to lose himself.

Sonic kept pushing himself faster and faster, further and further, but to his shock, Amy was still on his heels. He sighed heavily, and finally slowed his feet, letting himself come to a stop. Amy pulled up behind him, and nearly collapsed to the ground at his feet. She panted heavily, as she kneeled, sweat dripping from every pore from her body.

"Guess I'm not getting rid of you, huh?" Sonic said in a light tone that didn't at all match his annoyed body language.

"No… I… won't… give… up…" she managed to say breathlessly.

"Heh. I guess that's one thing you two have over me."

"Huh?" Amy wondered as she looked up to him, still trying to catch her breath.

"You don't give up. On us."

"Well, one of us has to be the romantic and optimistic one!" Amy said cheerfully, recovering herself as she stood fully, just a little shorter than Sonic himself.

"It's not gonna be me, that's for sure."

"No, you're the dreamy handsome one. That one that fulfills my dreams." Amy smiled sweetly at him.

Sonic eyed her oddly. "Yer not gonna yell at me and swing that hammer because I kinda sorta broke up with the other you?"

Amy went to sit down on a nearby rock, her legs still aching a bit from the run. "I have to admit I want to. And you do deserve it," she glared at him, and then smiled. "But I've learned that you respond better to sweetness. You do that adorable blush," she giggled as Sonic's face involuntarily turned red.

He looked away, sighing heavily as his face burned crimson. He stared at a nearby tree, trying to clear his mind.

"See? It's so cute! You're adorable, Sonic!"

"Argh," Sonic growled, hating that a smile was crawling up his muzzle. Right now, Amy was making him feel like more than the garbage being that he had acted like earlier. She was nothing short of amazing.

"Is this what you chased me out here for?" he raised his hand. "Oh, and before you answer that, tell me how you suddenly became so fast. You've never kept up with me this well."

Amy shrugged. "I don't know - I just kept chasing you and didn't stop until you did. I knew I'd have to track you down."

"Well, all I can say is - what? Are you serious?" He broke off mid-sentence to suddenly look at the sky.

There, floating among the clouds, was none other than the Egg Mobile.

"Are you kidding me? Now?" Amy pulled her hammer out in annoyance. "I'm talking with Sonic, Eggman! Leave us alone!"

Without asking any questions, Amy leaped into the air, did a backflip to gain momentum, and then tried to slam her hammer right into the fat doctor. While he dodged her a few times, Sonic spoke.

"Egghead? What are you doing all the way out here? I thought you were working with us?"

"Oh, ho, ho! Of course not, Sonic!" Eggman responded in between Amy swings. "The inferior copy of myself may have agreed to do so, but using this gem, I was able to swap us yet again. Now I'm where I truly belong, and he is cowering in that pitiful world, for a pitiful man!"

"What, what gem?" Sonic asked, and to his horror, OrEggman produced a gemstone that looked exactly like AltEggman had given them earlier.

"What? There's another one?" Sonic pulled the gemstone out of his quills, just to be sure Egghead hadn't swapped it. He stared at the copy with huge eyes. "How is that possible?"

"Yes, that's right my spiky friends. There is another one of these gems, and it led me right to you! How convenient. Now, I'm here to take what's mine. Hand over the gem and neither of you will get hurt!"

Sonic and Amy looked at each other, wondering how in the world there was another of the pink sapphires, and then got ready to fight.

Alternate Dimension - Alternate Amy

"I don't know what to do, Cream," Amy sobbed into the phone. "He just sounded like he didn't care at all… and he ran off… he hasn't done that in months…"

"Amy…" the rabbit spoke soothingly. "I'm sure he still cares about you… you always tell me he's doing sweet things for you."

Her concentration was interrupted by a jarring knock on the door. Her thoughts immediately went to Sonic, but then remembered he was, of course, stuck in another dimension. It had to be Tails, then.

"Who is it? What do you want?" she yelled with angry tears. "I'm on the phone with Cream, so just leave me alone, Tails."

"It's Sonic."

That voice. Her weak, desperate heart begged her to stand up, wipe her eyes, and let him in. But she couldn't see him now. He already brought back painful memories to her, and now he would only bring back fresh memories of her boyfriend leaving her behind. Amy had always thought of herself as a strong girl, but…

"I… know you don't wanna talk. But I'm here because I think we both need to."

…he was definitely her weakness. Amy stood up, wiped at her eyes, and walked to the door. She turned the handle.

Ooh, things are getting spicy~! That last scene is a bit of a teaser for next chapter… I debated whether to include it, and decided to at the last moment. Hope you guys look forward to next chapter, because it's definitely a doozy. There's a lot that happens plot-wise and romance-wise.

Just a quick note that I do have a twitter account now, so feel free to follow if you want story updates or thoughts on Sonic and SonAmy - atSilverDawn2010 - check my profile if you want a link!